Cebu Pacific receives 3 new Airbus planes

MANILA, Philippines — Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has received an additional three aircraft from Airbus to support its fleet expansion, as the airline closes in on its busiest season with new routes to be flown to.

Cebu Pacific yesterday said it has received three new jets from aircraft maker Airbus, raising its plane deliveries for the year to 10 so far.

By unit, Cebu Pacific took in an A330neo on July 26, an A320neo on Aug. 3 and an A320ceo on Aug. 4, scaling up its fleet to 85 in preparation for expansion flights.

Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Alexander Lao said the airline is boosting its fleet to serve the growing requirements for air travel.

On top of this, Cebu Pacific is mounting Manila flights to new destinations in Asia, particularly Kaohsiung this August and Chiang Mai in October.

Further, October marks the opening of additional frequencies out of Cebu, Clark and Iloilo. The carrier owned by the Gokongweis is keeping its calendar for the rest of the year filled up, placing big bets on the potential of untapped markets here and abroad.

“Our continuous fleet expansion efforts underscore our commitment to providing safe, affordable and accessible flights to every Juan,” Lao said.

“As the demand for air travel continues to rise, we are confident that we will be able to cater to more passengers looking to connect with other people or discover new destinations,” he added.

In July, Cebu Pacific signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for the purchase of up to 152 narrow-bodies in the make of A321neos worth $24 billion, or roughly P1.4 trillion.

The transaction is listed in the history books as the largest aircraft order made by a local airline. The deal covers the firm order for 102 jets, as well as 50 purchase rights, securing Cebu Pacific’s fleet for the future.

To date, Cebu Pacific operates one of the youngest fleets in the world. It handles nine A330s, 39 A320s, 22 A321s and 15 turboprops, allowing it to reach 35 domestic routes and 26 international cities across Asia-Pacific.

For 2024, Cebu Pacific is spending P48.7 billion for capital expenditures, allocating the bulk of it for aircraft deliveries.

The airline will soon report its  financial performance in the second quarter, but its first quarter figures showed that it is back to cruising altitude, with profit soaring to P2.2 billion.